MarshallƵs Deeve Harris (33) celebrates a fumble recovery by teammate Mike Green (15) against Coastal Carolina during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
MarshallƵs Deeve Harris (33) celebrates a fumble recovery by teammate Mike Green (15) against Coastal Carolina during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON Ƶ Jaden Yates and the Marshall defense would have preferred to be members of the clean plate club last weekend, but after giving up more than 500 yards of offense at Old Dominion, that simply wasnƵt the case.
ƵWe feel like defensively we left a little bit on the table, a little too much food for our brothers to clean up on the table,Ƶ the Thundering HerdƵs sophomore linebacker said. ƵEspecially there in that third quarter and early in the fourth. ItƵs a bad taste weƵre kind of excited to get out of our mouth.Ƶ
The Monarchs tallied the most rushing yards of any opponent against the Marshall defense this season, collecting 286 and four touchdowns on 46 attempts. Both quarterback Colton Joseph and running back Aaron Young broke the century mark and reached the end zone twice.
Ohio State came in six yards shy of that mark and reached paydirt five times on the ground against the Herd in September, and Old DominionƵs success snapped a two-game streak of Marshall limiting its opposition to less than 125 total rushing yards.
ƵYeah, we won, but the defensive bus was a little bit down,Ƶ Yates said. ƵGranted, it was a great feeling to see the offense going to do what they did. Offense and special teams, those guys came out there and had a game.Ƶ
Marshall defensive lineman Mike Green had a quiet game after failing to register a tackle for loss for the first time all season, and it was just his third game in 2024 without a sack.
He credited that to a good game plan from the Monarchs, but also said it allowed for other players on the defense to step up in his place.
ƵSometimes everything is just not gonna go my way, you know,Ƶ Green said. ƵI canƵt go out there and make five sacks and 35 TFLs, but it opens up opportunities for guys on my team to make plays. When theyƵre focusing on one person and when theyƵre trying to eliminate one thing, it leads to something else.Ƶ
MarshallƵs lone sack in the win came on Old DominionƵs final drive. Former Monarch Deeve Harris made the play to seal the win for the Thundering Herd, which was its fifth straight and only the second road win of the year.
ƵI didnƵt really have all the stats and stuff that I probably would have wanted,Ƶ Green said of his five-tackle performance. ƵBut at the same time, we got the W and the guys showed up.Ƶ
Eager to redeem itself against the Dukes, Yates said the Herd defense is locked in, even during a week thatƵs interrupted by the Thanksgiving holiday and plans to clean things up this weekend.
ƵBetter watch that film while youƵre eating, man,Ƶ Yates said with a grin.
Holiday Hosts
Former Marshall offensive lineman Dalton Tucker, who just made his seventh consecutive NFL start with the Indianapolis Colts, will sponsor the Thanksgiving Day meal for the Herd, coach Charles Huff said.
ƵIf you remember when he was here, his family kind of started that tradition,Ƶ Huff said of the Tucker family, which hosted the Herd for the holiday. ƵHe said he had a few extra dollars in his pocket and wanted to make sure that tradition stays consistent, so heƵs going to sponsor that meal.Ƶ
Marshall will practice Thursday morning, leaving enough time for local players to get home to their families on the holiday, if they choose, and the Herd will bus to Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Friday.
Luke Creasy is a sports reporter for HD Media. He can be reached by phone at 304-526-2800.
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